NCAA proposed settlement raises medical questions

Lindsey Tanner AP Medical Writer

Posted:
07/29/2014 01:34:42 PM PDT

Updated:
07/29/2014 03:15:27 PM PDT

Click photo to enlarge

FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2009 file photo, Maine's Kyle Solomon (12) chases after New Hampshire's Kevin Kapstad, (5) during an NCAA college hockey game in Orono, Maine. Solomon is one of the plaintiffs in a class-action head injury lawsuit working its way through federal court in Chicago. The NCAA and the plaintiffs announced a settlement on Tuesday, July 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael C. York, File)

CHICAGO (AP) — A key feature of a proposed settlement of a head-injury lawsuit against the NCAA is the creation of a $70 million fund to pay for medical evaluations of current and former college players in several sports. The provision raises some sticky medical questions. Here are some of them:

WHAT WILL THE EVALUATIONS BE LOOKING FOR?

Players who believe they have suffered sports-related concussions will be checked for conditions including post-concussion syndrome and a devastating incurable brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, that has been diagnosed in several former NFL players who committed suicide. Both conditions can involve headaches, memory and behavior problems, but CTE is more severe and most feared by athletes. Most experts agree CTE can't be diagnosed until after death, and there is no specific treatment, although some symptoms can be managed with medicine or psychotherapy. Post-concussion syndrome symptoms also can be managed, but diagnosis can be subjective. Special scans can sometimes pick up signs, but some imaging scans may be normal.

Testing won't answer that question, posing a dilemma for players who may want to file lawsuits seeking to definitely link symptoms with NCAA play.

DON'T BASELINE TESTS ADDRESS THAT ISSUE?

The NCAA doesn't currently require baseline evaluations. The settlement will mandate them at the start of each season for all players. That will give doctors comparison information, but won't affect former players.

WHO WILL DO THE EVALUATIONS?

Advertisement

In the first phase, current and former players will self-report symptoms, including mental troubles and mood and behavior problems. A five-member medical committee will evaluate the self-reported symptoms and determine which players need in-person testing. The settlement recommends that the committee include Dr. Brian Hainline, the NCAA's chief medical officer, and Dr. Robert Cantu, a leading concussion expert and co-director of Boston University's CTE Center. Cantu has served as a consultant to the NFL and to Boston College's football team. The settlement also recommends neuropsychologist Ruben Echemendia, who has worked with the NHL, and a retired federal judge, Wayne R. Andersen, to serve as committee chair.

At least 10 locations will be designated for testing, which may include neurological and psychological exams.